ASU Basketball: Sluggish Sun Devils fall to Buffaloes 61-52

The Sun Devils began their Rocky Mountain road trip with the chips already stacked against them. Colorado came into the game 15-1 at home this season and because of their superior rebounding, the Buffaloes are one of the worst matchups for Arizona State in the conference.

Colorado dominated the boards, outrebounding Arizona State by 21 on their way to a 61-52 victory Wednesday night. The Sun Devils were never able to get into a rhythm offensively, as they tallied just nine assists on 17 made field goals and shot 7-25 from beyond the arc.

The Buffaloes came into tonight's contest as the second best rebounding team in the Pac-12. Colorado was 49-1 under Tad Boyle at home when outrebounding the opponent, and they showed their rebounding superiority against the Sun Devils to the tune of 15 offensive rebounds.

Eric Jacobsen and Jordan Bachynski were both in foul trouble most of the night. Bachynski was a none factor against Colorado, posting just four points and three rebounds. The Sun Devils did not record a second chance point and were beaten on the defensive glass 33-22.

The game started out slow, with both teams starting 3-10 from the field. After ten minutes of play, the teams had combined for 22 points. It was a back and forth first half, with Colorado leading 27-26 at the break. In that first half, Arizona State shot just 32-percent from the field and 3-13 from 3-point territory.

Arizona State posted two scoring runs in the second half. The first was right out the gate, when Arizona State started the half with a 6-0 run to take a 32-27 lead. The second was when Jonathan Gilling found his stroke from beyond the arc.

With Arizona State down 45-36 with under seven minutes left, Gilling hit three 3-point baskets on three consecutive possessions to pull ASU to within two with 5:28 left in the game.

Besides those nine points, the Sun Devils mustered just 15 points the entire second half. Colorado outscored Arizona State 8-2 in the final minute of the game to close out the Sun Devils.

Jahii Carson led the way for Arizona State with 18 points on 5-15 shooting with seven rebounds. Askia Booker led Colorado with 18 points and six rebounds and Josh posted 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Buffaloes.

Up next for the Sun Devils is a matchup in Salt Lake City against the Utah Utes on Sunday afternoon.